WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: In a word, “Certified.” When, toward the end of its run, the just-concluded HBO drama shone an episode-long spotlight on Laurie, shrink/wife/mother-turned-Guilty-Remnant-disciple-and-back, Brenneman beautifully illuminated not only her complicated character’s heart-tugging compassion and envy regarding husband John’s faith but also the lingering despair and emptiness that made us fear her breathtakingly honest goodbye to ex Kevin really might have been a precursor to her committing the most “elegant” kind of suicide.
Image: Courtesy of HBO